Winter use....

For the M Powered Z3 derivatives
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scott_johnson
Joined: Wed 12 Aug, 2009 09:59
Posts: 63

  M roadster S50

Winter use....

Post by scott_johnson »

Hey all. Just seeing how many people use there M's as everyday drivers including winter? I feel like i should garage it but would have to buy something else...

SJ
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Dolfan
Joined: Tue 09 Jun, 2009 12:19
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Location: Milton Keynes

Post by Dolfan »

Hi SJ,

I purchased my Zed for weekend and Summer fun, as it's going to be a keeper it will be garaged over the winter months to keep the milage down and the dreaded salt off I have my little old Pug for daily use :drive .
PORTMYSTER
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Post by PORTMYSTER »

Hi SJ I Have a 2.8 Zed and just recently baught a little Rover 114 P reg with one owner and all M.O.T certs and service history 58K for £670 tax and tested. A bargin and touch wood is the best buy I have done after the Zed. It allows me to keep milage low and condition. For me I did this as I work in local sport centres and all the time I was scared of coming out and having a large ding in the door, all the worry has gone now. I even get attention in the Rover :oops: by people saying that they use to have one.
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Canman
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Post by Canman »

hi Sj

mine is my summer / weekend fun car too. i think it would be criminal to take a beautiful zed out in the winter. she stays in my garage covered up and plugged in to keep her electrics sweet untill april.

my trusty peugeot diesel 206 does the rest.

:drive
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Titan
Joined: Fri 01 Apr, 2005 20:20
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Post by Titan »

It's not an M but it gets used most days, winter and summer.
It would be nice to wrap it up and keep it clean, but it's more fun driving it :D
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PERRIN Z3M
Joined: Fri 12 Oct, 2007 19:49
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Location: Horley

Post by PERRIN Z3M »

I have a work van so dont use mine monday to friday but if i did need a car over the winter i would use the ///m all year round I don't think there is any reason to have another car just to put the zed in the garage at the end of the day it is ther to be used.

steve
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TitanTim
Joined: Mon 23 Jun, 2008 18:56
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Location: Stafford

Post by TitanTim »

I'm with Steve a Zed should be used all winter. So long as you take the necessary steps to protect the bodywork underneath and wash weekly its no problem. Sticking the car in the garage for months on end where it doesn't get warm or hot through use I feel accelerates component failures, rust, brakes seizing etc.

Tim.
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shantybeater
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Post by shantybeater »

Mine will be out giving me a smile on every frosty morning whether it be sunny or snowing! :)

She'll be getting serious wax and regular cleans though. I understand people that garage them for winter but personally I'd miss driving it too much
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Jonttt
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  M roadster S54
Location: Liverpool

Post by Jonttt »

I bought mine as a summer toy but the thought of wrapping it up for the winter depresses me :bawl: I can see it having some runs (to keep it ticking over :wink: ) on sunny winter weekends but will not be venturing out when the salts about.

The car is parked securely and the only thing I don't do is put the alarm on (to save the battery) but I do fit a thatcham steering lock. If I am going to use for the odd run over winter I don't really want to have to connect / disconnect the battery each time so I'll see how it goes. I guess in the midst of winter if the cars not going to be used for a couple of months I should.

I just have the dilema do I fit the hardtop or not. I was going to put it on this weekend but just been out for a run with roof down and heater on :D
Last edited by Jonttt on Thu 01 Oct, 2009 19:57, edited 1 time in total.
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henrycrun
Joined: Wed 18 Apr, 2007 19:48
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Location: Ely

Post by henrycrun »

All year, but be aware that dropping the top in a sub 5C ambient is likely to result in a cracked rear screen. Do make sure you tell the other half.
Please don't ask how I know this...
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TitanTim
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Post by TitanTim »

Jonttt wrote:I bought mine as a summer toy but the thought of wrapping it up for the winter depresses me :bawl: I can see it having some runs (to keep it ticking over :wink: ) on sunny winter weekends but will not be venturing out when the salts about.

The car is parked securely and the only thing I don't do is put the alarm on (to save the battery) but I do fit a thatcham steering lock. If I am going to use for the odd run over winter I don't really want to have to connect / disconnect the battery each time so I'll see how it goes. I guess in the midst of winter if the cars not going to be used for a couple of months I should.

I just have the dilema do I fit the hardtop or not. I was going to put it on this weekend but just been out for a run with roof down and heater on :D

Jon,

If you worry about the battery then one of these is a must.

http://www.ctek-chargers.co.uk/?gclid=C ... 4wodijIO2Q

Times when my zed isn't used I just plug the charger into the lighter socket and conditions the battery when it senses the batteries charge gets too low.
I think BMW now sell these but obviously with their branding.

Tim.
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Jonttt
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Post by Jonttt »

Tim, I already have one but don't have a power suplly where the car is parked so would have to remove the battery to use the crocodile clips.

I'm hoping that because I'll find any excuse to drive the car on a weekend I'll get away with a recondition charge at the end of winter even if it ends up being unused for 6 weeks or so in the worst of winter.

Usually I'd run a power supply to where the car is parked but the house I store it at I'm not doing any work on (once you start you never stop :wink: )
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///M_aniac
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Post by ///M_aniac »

I don't use Hamish as an everyday driver as I have my 2.0 Z3 for that purpose but he comes out most weekends and will surely continue to be used over the winter weekends. Zeds are built to be driven. Just make sure they are cleaned well after a run, lots of wax etc.
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M_guy
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Post by M_guy »

My M is driven pretty much all year round except when it snows (which in Vancouver might be between 2-10 days all year). I have a hard top for my M that gets put on in November and off around late February or early March.


Baden
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Mike123
Joined: Tue 21 Mar, 2006 14:34
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Location: Leamington Spa

All Year Round Z3M

Post by Mike123 »

In spite of some interesting and probably easier alternatives (B12 Alpina, Overfinch Rangie) the Z3M is my daily driver all year round.
A cold, sunny winter's morning with the top down, heater and seats full blast is my idea of heaven!
I think there are a mixture of owners and drivers on this forum - I'm firmly in the latter category. I have never been able to understand the comments about difficult wet handling - though it is impossible in the snow.
After 4 years and 50,000 miles I'm still in love with the car, and it's survived quite happily with just a few minor upgrades (brake pads, rear shocks/mounts), otherwise normal servicing.
It's got the odd paint chip, but still looks very presentable, in spite of no intensive cleaning/polishing exercises (too busy driving!).
Off to Prodrive in Warwick next week to show the Ford RS Club what they are missing!
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Jonttt
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Post by Jonttt »

Mike :bow

I wish I could use my ///M as a daily driver but 30k+ miles pa mainly motorway is not practical. The reason I got my ///M was for the 3k pa I can dump the motorway cruiser and have some fun :wink:

I think I fall (hopefully) into both camps. I've bought the car to be driven for what it was designed but putting 3-5k pa on the clock means it is also a keeper for me. Its got 48k on it now so hopefully will be with me until I hang up my driving shoes :D (I'm not giving my age away!)

But..... if I ever changed jobs to allow me to do much less mileage then ....... :drive
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Jonttt
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Post by Jonttt »

Jonttt wrote:Mike :bow

I wish I could use my ///M as a daily driver but 30k+ miles pa mainly motorway is not practical. The reason I got my ///M was for the 3k pa I can dump the motorway cruiser and have some fun :wink:

I think I fall (hopefully) into both camps. I've bought the car to be driven for what it was designed but putting 3-5k pa on the clock means it is also a keeper for me. Its got 48k on it now so hopefully will be with me until I hang up my driving shoes :D (I'm not giving my age away!)

But..... if I ever changed jobs to allow me to do much less mileage then ....... :drive
ps and thanks for making my decision re fitting the hardtop even harder :D
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Mike123
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Post by Mike123 »

I can see why people would want hard tops and traction control, but they're not for me.
I love the fact that driving the car is an experience every day, and I really don't want to change any of it.
hursty
Joined: Wed 20 Sep, 2006 20:34
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  M roadster S50

Post by hursty »

I have driven my old Zed's throughout the winter with no real problem; even had my 911 out last year in the snow! But this year have decided to garage it for the winter; tax and insurance expired end of sept so have bought a rover 420 diesel and garaged the BM for 6 months!!

I think i did it this year as doing more miles with work; and now have my own garage and want to change a few things on the Zed so thought it would give me time to work on it and save for the bits i want. Also of the 4 zm's ive had this one is the quickest and twitchyist by far for some reason and dont fancy it in the ice!! :lol:
Zim
Joined: Thu 25 Sep, 2008 14:42
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Post by Zim »

my ///M is my weekend car, work in the city so take the trains mon-friday only time i drive her is odd evenings to Tesco and weekend mostly..

when the clocks go back my hardtop comes on...he he

my lil transformer car..lol

/Z
Kolgan
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Location: Chelsmford

Post by Kolgan »

The only thing to remember during the winter is never press too hard the accelerator pedal in a roundabout :D

or you will have a bit of holiday on ice experience :lol:
'Yadi
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Post by 'Yadi »

This will be my first winter with the mc. I wash it once a week generally and wax once a month. Re: mention of looking after the underneath is it advisable to get it treated with one of those waxoil type treatments or will the car survive without and just use the jetwash to clear behind the wheels etc?
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TitanTim
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Post by TitanTim »

'Yadi wrote:This will be my first winter with the mc. I wash it once a week generally and wax once a month. Re: mention of looking after the underneath is it advisable to get it treated with one of those waxoil type treatments or will the car survive without and just use the jetwash to clear behind the wheels etc?
Modern cars shouldn't really need any underbody treatment, the important thing is wash it thoroughly etc, having said that I have done all the underside of the Zed with Dinitrol which is like a thick brown metallic wax and used Dinitrol cavity wax hehind the wheel arch liners. Waxoil is OK but will wear off quite easily.

This is my 1985 Mazda 323 that used Dinitrol on in 1986 and still going strong.

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Not exactly a collectable classic but you don't see many on the road these days.

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'Yadi
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Post by 'Yadi »

Hi Tim,

Was the Dinitrol a DIY job (with access to a ramp?) or did you get a third party to treat it for you?

Cheers
scott_johnson
Joined: Wed 12 Aug, 2009 09:59
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  M roadster S50

Post by scott_johnson »

Some mixed replies but just as i expected!

Im planning on using it everyday as im doing now so i shall see how i get on compared to my 4x4 audi s3 last year.... lol.

My dads just bought a hardtop for his motor (2.8 z3) so might rob that off him :) hehe
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TitanTim
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Post by TitanTim »

'Yadi wrote:Hi Tim,

Was the Dinitrol a DIY job (with access to a ramp?) or did you get a third party to treat it for you?

Cheers
Hi Yadi,

I applied the Dinitrol my self. Its sold in large aerosol cans with extension tubes. 5 or 6 cans is usually enough to cover the underside. Its a messy job but is only a half a day job and once done will keep the salt off the bodywork.

Tim.
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Schnitzer
Joined: Sun 15 Jun, 2008 15:50
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Post by Schnitzer »

i used the M Roadster in the winter for awhile....We all know what happened to that though




RIP M Roadster (black ice will pay) :head:
badboyblue
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Location: Manchester

Post by badboyblue »

TitanTim wrote:..................... you don't see many on the road these days.

Tim.
Natural selection in action.
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TitanTim
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Post by TitanTim »

badboyblue wrote:
TitanTim wrote:..................... you don't see many on the road these days.

Tim.
Natural selection in action.
:?:
:rtm:
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badboyblue
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Post by badboyblue »

TitanTim wrote:
badboyblue wrote:
TitanTim wrote:..................... you don't see many on the road these days.

Tim.
Natural selection in action.
:?:
:rtm:
You've never heard Darwin's supposition on natural selection??
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'Yadi
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  M coupe S54

Post by 'Yadi »

TitanTim wrote:
Hi Yadi,

I applied the Dinitrol my self. Its sold in large aerosol cans with extension tubes. 5 or 6 cans is usually enough to cover the underside. Its a messy job but is only a half a day job and once done will keep the salt off the bodywork.

Tim.
Thanks for the info Tim.
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